Project

Creative 3D modelling was the only way

... to design the special formwork used for this residential complex on historical grounds

Enjoy the vista to the Swiss Alps, take a stroll through the park or unmoor your vacht for a pleasure ride to nearby Lindau or Austria. “Living by the shore of lake Constance” is a new upscale residentical complex in a picture-book landscape. Two of the 8 blocks are erected on the grounds of the former Bodan dockyard and built inside the historic remainders of former dockyard halls No. 2 and 3. The 3-storey block in hall 2 is being built inside and below the historic steel girders (see large photo above) and behind the historic wooden facades on the street side. The layout of the apartments is designed to allow each tenant a direct view of Lake Constance and the Swiss Alps without leaving the apartment, i.e. the slabs and walls are not rectangular.

Going to the limits of what is geometrically feasibleTo complicate matters even more, the entire block 2 rests on pillars to conserve the historic rails on which new ships were formerly lowered into the water (see large photo above). The architects were not satisfied by straight pillars that would do their supporting job gave them complex geometrical forms. These also serve as unique decorative elements. The entire support structure has not a single right angle, all components end up and meet at odd angles and seem twisted in all directions. This proved a true challenge to formwork planning and all following steps.

Modelling “special fomwork to be used inside standard formwork“The challenges were: odd and varying angles, different lengths, areas and inclinations, and the entire structure being set up on sloped ground. The support structure had to be planned part for part. Detailed 3D models and plans were developed for each part to produce the special wooden formwork, send it to the site and assemble it. The special formwork set up was then stabilized by placing StarTec panels around it and supporting it with H20 girders and props, strictly following the assembly instructions provided by MEVA engineers. In this way, part for part of the support structure was prepared for pouring, rebarred and poured.

“We could not have handled the pillars without the detailed 3D modelling and instructions provided by the MEVA engineers“, says foreman Matthias Unglert. “Their cooperation and flexibility has made this complicated job much easier.“ „We are also impressed by the panels’ sturdiness. Using accessories without losable parts and the easy and always identical attachment of accessories is also a big plus in our daily work.”

One of Ontario’s busiest transportation corridors, Highway 400, began a major expansion project through Kings Township in late 2016. This $79.3 million dollar (CAD) project includes the widening of the highway from three to six lanes in each direction for a two mile stretch and also entails safer on and off ramps, the expansion and realignment of culverts, and the replacement of two bridges − one of them the South Canal Bridge.

The new theater is called The Otto M. Budig Theater and located in Cincinnati’s Over-The-Rhine district. When completed, it will become the last section of the planned “Classical Arts Corridor” in Cincinnati, which also includes a Music Hall, School for Creative and Performing Arts, and a park.

Children enjoy playing with it, teachers recommend it: the shape sorting box. Based on the popular toy, the architects who conceived the new Meséskert nursery designed the play areas on the top floor as a triangle, circle, and square.